Repatriating With Your Pet

Petrelocation.com - As the economy takes a turn for the worse, with the fall of Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and the takeover of AIG, many expat pet owners who moved to take a new job might find themselves in the situation where they might need to return to the United States or wherever they were from originally. In the case of Lehman Brothers, according to LinkedIn, while many employees are located domestically in New York City, there are hundreds living overseas in London, Mumbai and other locales.

It's important to remember a few key steps when planning your return trip with your pet:

- Your country's export requirements.

Every country has a specific list of export requirements, which may not be the same as the country you previously exported your pet from. It's best to talk with a pet relocation professional or, if you're on a budget, the ministry of agriculture. Most countries also have their agricultural export information listed online.

- Your pet's health.

If you moved your pet overseas two or three years ago, his health might have deteriorated since the first move. If your pet has crossed into the 'senior citizen' category (generally considered over 8 years old) while you've been on assignment, it's a good idea to have his kidneys & liver checked by your veterinarian prior to travel.

- Price.

Sometimes, you can pay a completely different amount returning from a country than you did getting your pet there. There are different taxes and export duties that certain countries, like India, apply to their exports. Be sure to plan ahead and get the pricing sorted out early on to avoid surprises.